Statement of significance

Field

Value

Statement of significance

The extension of a tramline from Fort Macquarie to Ryde in the early 1900s represented one of the earliest public transport solutions for this region. The Ryde line was the longest tramline in the Sydney system, and was created in lieu of the more preferred extension of the Ryde train line. Despite a successful run, the tramline was closed following pressure to shift to buses as a more economical and lucrative option. The remnants of this tramline (currently beneath Blaxland Road) provide an historical link to this now disused transport service.

The site is assessed as having Local significance.

Date Significance Updated

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Description

Field

Value

Designer

****

Builder

****

Construction years

1908 - 1910

Physical description

Remnants of the former tram track (concrete) thought to be under the existing roadway.

Physical Conditionand/orArchaeological Potential

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Modifications and dates

An additional single line was added from Blaxland Road at Church Street to the West Ryde Railway station in 1914.

Date condition updated

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History

Field

Value

Historical notes

Sydney's first tram was of the horse-drawn type, which ran down Pitt St from Central to Circular Quay in 1861 and ceased in 1866. In 1879, the steam tramway was established, with various isolated lines later developing throughout the Sydney region. As early as 1898, steam power was replaced with electrical-powered trams, with most of the system converted by 1910. The 1920s were seen as a hey-day for the Sydney Tram system, with up to 200 trams in use on lines to Leichhardt, Drummoyne, Ryde, Abbotsford, Glebe and Balmain. (Source: Railpage (www.railpage.com.au/news-2290.htm)

The tramline to Ryde grew slowly, first extending to Rozelle, then to Drummoyne over the Iron Cove Bridge. In 1905, there was much agitation for its eventual extension to Gladesville and Hatton's Flat at Ryde. The tramline was finally extended to Ryde in 1908 in lieu of the public's preference for an extension of the Ryde Railway line (Levy 1947: 131). The inclusion of Ryde into the Sydney tram system was commemorated in a local marble monument marking the "extension of the Sydney Tram Services to Ryde", 12th December, 1908. This monument, formerly located at the junction of Church and Park Streets, is currently positioned at the current bus terminal on Devlin Street. Whilst this celebration marked the turning of the sod and the commencement of construction, the extension with electrification was not completed until the 12th June 1910. Unlike other suburbs such as Parramatta, the Ryde line only operated with electrified trams, as opposed to steam trams or "Puffing Billy's" (Levy 1947: 132).

It was initially a single line, later duplicated from Rozelle to Ryde between 1906 and 1936. The tram terminus was established at the western end of Blaxland Road, located near the current Top Ryde Shopping Centre, and extended down Victoria Road through Gladesville, where it eventually terminated at Fort Macquarie (present site of the Sydney Opera House). The entire trip took approximately 61 minutes to complete, and was the single longest route on the Sydney tram network, measuring 10miles 61chains via Pyrmont. It was deemed by the Transport Advisory Committee (TAC) in 1932 to be "unsatisfactory", but was recorded by the Sydney Tramways Pocket Guide to be "one of the most enjoyable tram rides of the city system" (Martin 1998: 61).

In 1914 a single tram line was added between Ryde Post Office (corner of Church Street and Parkes Street) and West Ryde train station. The Sydney to Ryde service became very popular, particularly at weekends when Sydney residents would travel to the orchards of the Ryde District to buy produce.

World War II saw the temporary closure of the tram service, with Ryde being one of the earliest extensions to permanently close. It was recommended by the TAC that the tramline should be replaced by an omnibus service to the city to improve the efficiency of the service. Buses began to replace the Ryde trams in 1949 following the partial closure of the line from Gladesville. The (Top) Ryde to Ryde Railway line was replaced by a bus service as early as 1934, although the line was retained until 1936.

The Sydney tram system was Australia's largest in 1933, with a total rail length of 290km. It began to be shut down in 1939 with the closure of the Manly line, with the last line closed in 1961- 100 years after the first tram had been introduced in Sydney.

The overhead lines were removed and tracks were either pulled up or covered over. In recent years the tram services have been renewed in Sydney, with the Lilyfield to Railway Square service currently operating, with a proposal to extend the service to Circular Quay.

Listings

Field

Value

Heritage Listing

Reference Number

Gazette Number

Gazette Page

Heritage Act - s.170 NSW State agency heritage register

Assessment of Significance

Field

Value

Historical Significance

Based on information from Ryde City Council, concrete from the tramline is retained beneath the current road surface on Blaxland Road. This item relates to the extension of tram services to the Ryde region in the early 1900s, and is associated with the development of transport and communication in the area and its broader connectivity with Sydney and other suburbs. As the item has been substantially altered, including the removal of the tracks, power lines and other related features, it is assessed as having low local significance.

Historical Association

The former tramline is generally associated with the local community of Ryde, and is assessed as having low local significance.

Aesthetic/Technical Significance

As the concrete from the tramline is believed to lie beneath the current road surface, its aesthetic value has not been assessed. However, the memorial associated with the lines commencement located on Devlin Street is considered to be aesthetically significant as a cultural landmark, and retains a majority of its original fabric.

Social Significance

Whilst the former tram service can be considered significant as a historic phase of transport development in the Ryde region, the potential remains have been assessed as having little significance under this criterion as they do not contribute to the current community's sense of place, nor does it offer a significant visual or social reminder of this system.

Research Significance

As the tramline is currently in an archaeological context, it technical significance is unknown. However, it has been assessed as having moderate local significance in terms of its potential to yield information associated with its construction and location. It should be noted that information about the historic past of the Ryde tram service (and Sydney system in general) is readily accessible from other sources.

Rarity

The concrete remains are not considered to be a rare example of the Sydney Tram system. Evidence for this line is still available and has been incorporated into the Sydney Light Rail system presently operating between Central and Lilyfield.

Representativeness

As the remains on Blaxland Road are considered to consist only of the concrete base, and not the actual tram lines, it is assessed as being as poor example of its type. Despite the alterations to the current operational Light Rail system, this is considered to represent a better example of the former Sydney service, particularly the loop located at Central Station.

Integrity/Intactness

As the item is in an archaeological context, its integrity has not been assessed. It is assumed that the tracks have been removed and that the original concrete associated with the former line are presently conserved under the current road service.

Assessed Significance

Local

References

Field

Value

Type

Author

Year

Title

Written

Keenan, David R.

1979

Tramways of Sydney

Written

Daniel Percival, RTA Environmental Technology

2005

Heritage Assessment of Tram Track for RTA S170 Register

Written

Martin, Megan

2004

Ryde: A Pictorial History

Written

Levy, M.C.I.

1947

Wallumetta: A History of Ryde and its District 1792-1945

Written

Geeves, Philip

1970

A Place of Pioneers: The Centenary History of the Municipality of Ryde

Study details

Field

Value

Title

Year

Author

Inspected by

Guidelines used

RTA Review: Heritage and Conservation Register Warringah Sub-Region

2004

City Plan

Yes

Custom fields

Field

Value

Roads and Maritime Services Region

Sydney

Bridge Number

****

CARMS File Number

****

Property Number

Road Infrastructure

Conservation Management Plan

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Images

This photo depicts the present day intersection of Blaxland Road and Church Street. All of the historic features of the road identified in the 1914 image have been since removed, including the tramline and memorial.Intersection of Parkes Street (now Blaxland Road) and Church Street, featuring the memorial lamp at the centre of the frame. An inbound tram is visible on the 1914 extension arriving from West Ryde station. (1914)